Olive tree in zone 8a

[coconut2024]

Hey! I planted an Olea Europaea (didn't say anything on the plant passport which variety it is) in early March. I want to know, if I will need to protect the tree in winter. I live in, southern posavje, Slovenia in zone 8a (or CFA: Humid, subtropical climate)

[SeanK]

Arbequina is the typical cultivar for cold climates. Typically safe down to -8°C.

 

https://livitaplus.com/arbequina-olive-tree/?lang=en/

[coconut2024]

Thanks! 

[Marco67]

Olive trees seem to be fine up to about -10°C/14°F. After that they lose their leaves. When you reach about -15°C/5°F, branches start to die. Mine survived a -17°C/2°F, but all the branches were dead and it had to come back from the lower part of the trunk. I think you need at least an 8b climate to grow olive trees successfully.

[coconut2024]

5 hours ago, Marco67 said:

Olive trees seem to be fine up to about -10°C/14°F. After that they lose their leaves. When you reach about -15°C/5°F, branches start to die. Mine survived a -17°C/2°F, but all the branches were dead and it had to come back from the lower part of the trunk. I think you need at least an 8b climate to grow olive trees successfully.

Thanks! If the olive tree won't survive the next winter, I am thinking of buying a Casaliva Olive tree which sucesfully grows in central Slovenia (zone 7a and 7b).

[SeanK]

Hopefully, the first two winters are mild so it can get established.

[coconut2024]

7 hours ago, SeanK said:

Hopefully, the first two winters are mild so it can get established.

I hope too.

 

[MichaelB]

About 5 years ago I planted a fruiting age olive tree here in 8a and it did not survive the colder than average winter that year. You may want to protect it. 

[Marco67]

On 4/30/2025 at 10:57 PM, coconut2024 said:

Thanks! If the olive tree won't survive the next winter, I am thinking of buying a Casaliva Olive tree which sucesfully grows in central Slovenia (zone 7a and 7b).

In a zone 8a climate they will need protection during colder winters. They can take an occasionally cold winter but not year after year. In Croatia, which is near where you live, your chances would be much better.

[coconut2024]

11 hours ago, Marco67 said:

In a zone 8a climate they will need protection during colder winters. They can take an occasionally cold winter but not year after year. In Croatia, which is near where you live, your chances would be much better.

I have a house on Mali Lošinj, Croatia (zone 10a) where I have lots of olive trees.

[coconut2024]

15 hours ago, MichaelB said:

About 5 years ago I planted a fruiting age olive tree here in 8a and it did not survive the colder than average winter that year. You may want to protect it. 

Sad to hear it didn't survive. Thanks for a tip.

[coconut2024]

I'll make sure to protect it in winter.